Chicago Fire at Columbus Crew: Your Running Commentary
Apologies for the late posting but tonight's Chicago-Columbus clash should be a good one (for Chicago at least since it's already 2-0 Fire).
If you're watching the match then please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the match.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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chris rolfe has really been impressive so far...
Posted by: Dave | July 05, 2008 at 08:51 PM
best part about being *at* the game? not hearing Sullivan butcher Schelotto's nae all night!
the view from the NW corner is thus: Columbus outside back are playing like canned a s s. Frankie is ranging too far forward for playing behind a rookie who doesn't coverback well enough and O'rourke is still learning and was caught behind Carr on the 2d goal. Evans is not a true center mid and is just more evidence that The Crew need a real guy in the middle to transition to the attack. And with all that ging wrong, The Crew are 2 miracle save by Busch from beibg up 3-2...
Posted by: brant | July 05, 2008 at 09:14 PM
no ideahow soumare didn't get a yellow card for that tackle in 58th. he damn near amputated rogers' feet and then bitched like a, well, like a bitch, when the foul was called...
Posted by: brant | July 05, 2008 at 09:26 PM
uh oh! section 211 in the upper deck behind Hesmer better watch out... Barrett's in @ 65th minute...
Posted by: brant | July 05, 2008 at 09:32 PM
it's no secret that I'm a Crew homer. Even so, tonight's referees seem to be sponsored by Hoover (o maybe Primus) - "Nothing sucks like we do!"
Posted by: brant | July 05, 2008 at 09:43 PM
trying to figure out how Migs got a card in 83d but soumare didn't for hacking rogers.
the ref is definitely not Scottish - he's crap!
and the The Crew level the score as I'm typing this on the phone... wohoo!
Posted by: brant | July 05, 2008 at 09:53 PM
I hhink it's noteworthy that after the final whistle both Hejduk and Blanco webt over to the officials and laid into them.
Posted by: brant | July 05, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Stotts is a terrible ref.. and i'm sick of the d subbing in the last 10 min .. its like your inviting the pressure ..
Posted by: EDB | July 05, 2008 at 10:08 PM
2-2 final.
not totally undeserved.
Busch was clearly Chicago's MVP. without him, it's easily a 4-2 game or worse. His save on Hejduk's shot should make Sportscenter... if ESPN bothered to include soccer in the show...
Posted by: brant | July 05, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Sorry 'bout all the typos... My cell phone has a lousy little keyboard and the backlight only last .58 milliseconds or so.
Overall, The Crew played well, but they're still a true center mid from really rolling. Schelotto does a lot of the things a center mid should, but he's not a true 2-way player these days. Moffat was pretty good, but when your CAM is Brad Evans, you've got issues.
Posted by: brant | July 05, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Well Rolfe and Carr start up top and we score goals. Barrett starts and we dont score for 3 games or so. I would like to see a game where Chad Barrett doesnt play at all and see what happens. Marmol looked slow and not interested at all. It was a mistake to bring him on. He was lazy and bad for the 10 min he was on. Just sticking a leg out in the middle of the park which let the guy right by who then made the pass and got fouled outside the box. Not getting back for the 2nd goal. He came on to play defense not jog around the park for 10 min. Another blown game which we should have got all 3 points.
Posted by: Joe | July 06, 2008 at 12:13 AM
I really enjoyed this game last night- I thought it really showcased the increased quality of the MLS these days. The ball was moved at a very fast pace by both teams all night long, and there is no way any neutral out there stumbling across this game on their tv dial could accuse it of being boring or lacking technical skill. One other thing- depending on what Chicago has to give up in order to get McBride... they could be close to being able to compete in the Sudamericana...
Posted by: Original Aaron | July 06, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Really was a fun match. The quality in the MLS is really improving. Chicago had a good strategy to double on Rogers in the firt half which made a difference for a while but they could not keep this talented kid closed down all night as we saw. I think the Crew needs a center mid and the defenders need to eb sorted out but Sigi has built a decent team this year.
Posted by: Tom B | July 06, 2008 at 02:08 PM
unfortunately i missed the game, but will be watching the replay tonight at 8 on FSC...
Posted by: brett | July 07, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Did anyone notice the Blanco type shielding by Calen Carr during this game? I have to say, it was the best game I have seen him play.
It looks like he is learning something and adding to his game. And, it was a great goal that he scored.
Posted by: paul Lorinczi | July 09, 2008 at 02:50 PM